About the European Family Conference
What, where, and when is the EFC, and who can register?
Please read the information on this page to find out more about the European Family Conference (EFC) and who can register.
What is the EFC?
The European Family Conference is an opportunity for families from across Europe to come together and open to the Lord regarding how to go on in our families and in the church life. The conference is intended for parents and their children. In order to have the best atmosphere, we want to tell you what to expect at the conference.
The burden of the conference is that the Lord would raise up families for the church life. The schedule includes family activities such as singing, stories, talks, crafts, games, and workshops during the day. Our hope is that we can learn together how to carry out these activities once we return home.
The conference also provides a good opportunity to get to know other families in the church life and share with them our experiences, struggles, and difficulties.
In the evenings, we will have times of fellowship for parents and burdened saints. Parents are encouraged to make private arrangements to share child care duties.
There will be three special meetings for children aged 11-12, where we have the burden that the gospel would be announced to them in a clear way. A parent or guardian must be with their child during these meetings.
The daily workshops, corporate activities, and evening fellowships are part of the conference. By registering for the conference, we are registering to take part in all of these scheduled activities. All these aspects of the conference are designed for families to do together, and there will be no organised child-care.
There will be an activities tent and a playing field where families can go throughout the day to play games and build crafts together informally.
There will not be creche facilities; however, there should be toys and sports equipment available for children of all ages.
In the middle of the week, a pleasant hike/walk will be coordinated for the families who wish to participate. You can indicate on your registration form if you think you will able to participate; however, more information and a final signup will be provided on the first night of the conference. EFC registrants will not be permitted to participate in the EYPC hike.
Children under 18 are not allowed to use electronics, including phones or tablets, at any time during the conference. This is a safeguarding issue and also applies to those attending the young people’s conference.
Our goal is that through all the workshops, activities, and fellowship times, we would make progress in learning how to shepherd all the members of our families. We look to the Lord for His rich blessing on this time.
Updated 19 March 2026
Where is the EFC held?
The EFC takes place at the same time as the EYPC in Małe Ciche, a small mountain village near the Tatra Mountains in the southern part of Poland. Specific parts of the village are designated for EFC activities, and the family conference schedule during the week differs from the EYPC schedule.
When does the EFC take place?
Both the EYPC and EFC take place in the summer, typically during the last week of July leading into August. Please see the home page for the specific dates for this year.
Who Can Register: Families
The EFC is open to any family with children from 0-12 years old. Children age 13+ must be registered in the EYPC.
Children
The EFC schedule will include workshops for the whole family to participate in together. There will not be separate meetings only for children.
There will not be creche facilities; however, there should be toys and sports equipment available for children of all ages.
Children may be registered for full-sized meals, half-sized meals, or no meals. Children up to age 3 with no meals also have the option of having no bed. See the Conference Costs and Fees 2026 for more details.
An EFC T-shirt is included in the registration fee only for children who are paying full price (i.e. for full-sized meals). For children paying less than full price, T-shirts may be purchased separately through the registration form.
Children are the responsibility of their parents/guardians at all times.
Guidelines for Children (Ages 0–12)
To help everyone enjoy the conference and care for one another, here are some simple guidelines for all children:
- Be kind and caring
Help others, share, and look out for younger ones. - Be respectful
Listen to your parents, helpers, and those leading the sessions. Speak with kindness and take turns. - Look after your things
Keep your belongings tidy and bring what you need to each session. - No electronic devices
Phones, tablets, and other electronic devices are not allowed for the duration of the entire conference. - Stick together
Always stay with your parent or group. Don’t wander off without letting a responsible adult know.
Additional Guidelines for Children Ages 11–12
- Children aged 11–12 are part of the European Family Conference (EFC).
- During the EFC, we will have several sessions just for the children in this age group.
- We are burdened that all the older children, aged 11-12, would have the gospel announced to them in a clear way.
- A parent must remain with their child in these sessions at all times.
- The 11-12-year-olds will be on the EFC schedule for the entirety of the conference.
- This includes participating in workshops and family times.
- In the event that there is opportunity to visit the Junior EYPC meetings, this should not be at a time when it conflicts with the EFC schedule.
Visiting the EYPC
(this is not a guaranteed option)
- If EFC children (ages 11-12) do visit the EYPC tents, they must be accompanied by a designated adult, sit in the Visitors section, and not cause disruption during the meetings.
- Visiting the EYPC would be limited to 1-2 meetings during the week; these would be announced at the beginning of the week.
- You would need to take care of your own translation needs (with an FM radio and earphones, or side-by-side translation).
- There are evening EFC meetings for the parents. These are an important part of the EFC, and as much as possible, we would like parents to not miss these because of going to the EYPC meetings.
Adult Family Members
Adult family members are those who have young children attending the conference, so they are attending as a family unit. This includes parents, grandparents, etc.
Family workshops will take place throughout the day, including evenings. The EFC will have a full schedule.
An EFC T-shirt is included in the registration fee.
A parents’ handbook containing information and stories will be provided. If you would also like an EYPC handbook, then you will need to purchase it separately on the registration form.
All adults, as much as possible, are expected to participate in the service in this conference. See the Practical Service Needs in the EFC (All Adults) for more details about the different service areas.
Parent Policy (Ages 0-12)
We are so glad you and your family are joining us for the conference. To help keep everyone safe and supported, please take note of the following:
- Your children are your responsibility
While we are in a shared and caring environment, each child remains under the full care of their parent or guardian throughout the entire conference. - Stay alert to potential hazards
Please be aware of your child’s safety around the road, river, fire (e.g., bonfire and BBQs), and any other outdoor spaces. - Participate and serve
Parents are encouraged to take part in workshops and be ready to help as needed.
Registrants from North America
All registrants from North America for both the EYPC and EFC are required to pre-register and be pre-approved by the SCYP Office.
Once registration opens on this website, you will also need to complete the registration form and pay before the deadline (or be subject to late fees). More information to help registrants from North America complete the Conference registration form can be found here.
Registrants from outside of Europe or North America
If you are from a country outside of Europe or North America and would like to participate in the EFC this year, please get in touch with the Country Coordinator for the ‘Other’ region in order to fellowship concerning your request.
Please note that there is a limit to the number of saints we can receive from other parts of the world, and a separate conference fee applies. Please initiate fellowship with your local and/or regional leading ones early if you have an interest in joining the EFC this year and include them in your communications with us. The approval of your registration is subject to receiving a letter of recommendation from your elders or responsible ones.
Please refrain from buying a plane ticket before being approved.
Who Can Register: Practical (EFC) Serving Saints
Practical serving saints are those who join the EFC without their own children, i.e. they are not coming to the conference as part of a family unit.
There are many practical needs for the EFC to be carried out. Therefore, any brother or sister who is burdened for the children and families can register to attend.
- Practical serving ones will work in teams to help carry out the practical services necessary to run the conference. You must be flexible, willing to coordinate, and able to work together with others.
- You must be physically able to serve in a practical way. This is a full-time commitment for the duration of the conference.
- We expect practical serving ones to have some availability for prayer and coordination leading up to the conference.
- You must be accountable to a Service Team Leader for the duration of the conference.
- During the conference, you must be digitally reachable via WhatsApp with your own data connection (roaming or eSIM that works in Poland). Wi-Fi is not widely available in the village.
- As well as your Country Coordinator approval, you will need an additional approval from the Conference before your registration as a practical serving one is fully approved. Please complete your registration form in a timely way.
See the Practical Service Needs in the EFC (All Adults) for more details about the different service areas.
Practical Service Needs in the EFC
To care for all the families, we need many hands. Therefore, all adult registrants, including family members and practical serving saints, are needed to serve at this conference.
Most of these EFC-specific services are not for the entirety of the conference but only for one or two sessions. Please indicate your service preference in the registration form.
Below are descriptions of the EFC-specific practical service areas.
ADMIN
1. Announcements
You will be part of a team of saints to help ensure that all the families receive important announcements and are aware of when the next activities are happening. Ideally, these are saints familiar with WhatsApp and Notion and who are able to be in close coordination with the EFC Office.
ACTIVITIES
2. Afternoon Activities
You will coordinate with others to plan, set up, and carry out activities for the family afternoons, and be present to serve on at least one of these afternoons.
3. Free Activities and Crafts
You will coordinate with others to plan, set up, and carry out different activities and craft stations for the families at the beginning of each workshop as well as in the evening during the parents’ fellowship. You will need to be present to serve on at least one of these sessions.
4. Verse Memorization / Rewards
We love to encourage learning the Word of God. This team will come together to consider ways to encourage the families to learn the verses together and be a good pattern for others.
5. Hike (EFC)
The saints coordinating the EFC hike/walk will coordinate and provide information for a family-friendly route from the village, suitable for buggies/prams/strollers and older children. They will also be responsible for serving during the hike. Please note, EFC registrants will not be permitted to participate in the EYPC hike.
DURING THE MEETING
6. Audio
This is primarily a full-time service for the duration of the conference, though part-time participation is also possible. The Audio Team is responsible for managing and recording the audio during the conference meetings. Experience is recommended but not required.
7. Singing
There will be singing during each workshop. This team will coordinate how to lead a joyful singing time to welcome all families, involve different language groups, and will also help lead the singing at least once during the week.
8. Live Translation
There is a need for translation (interpretation) during the meetings. Please use the “Language Information” section of the registration form to indicate the languages which you can translate (interpret) into from English.
9. Guitar
If you can play the guitar, you are welcome to sign up. We may need your assistance during the evening sessions and workshop singing.
10. Cleanup
To help keep the conference running smoothly and the facilities clean, there is a need for small tasks such as cleaning up, restocking supplies, and emptying trash bins. You will help serve a few times during the conference.
PRACTICAL
11. Baptisms
There is the need for some brothers to take care of both the spiritual and practical aspects of the baptisms in the family conference. This will include having a fellowship meeting with those who have a desire to know more about baptism and preparing the baptismal area and cleaning up afterwards.
12. Bonfire Prep and Safety
This service starts after the hike is finished and typically lasts about five hours. It involves gathering firewood, building the bonfire and Swedish torches (log candles), securing the area, setting up waste collection, and supervising during the bonfire.
13. Book Sales
We will have a table for book sales from The Bible Tells Me So before and after every meeting. You will coordinate with the TBTMS serving sisters to help with setup and sales according to a schedule.
14. Facilities
The facilities service sub-teams primarily take care of the EFC tents and the safety of the conference participants in the village:
Street Stewards
Street Stewards help to maintain the security of all participants, especially the young people, before and after the conference meetings. Street Stewards are stationed on either side of the road near the conference tents to ensure saints cross the street only when it is safe to do so. This service is available to both brothers and sisters. Further, it would be wonderful if some of the dads in the EFC are able to join this service.
Tent Overseers (brothers only)
This service involves:
- Working in small teams to keep watch over the conference tent and equipment to which you are assigned during the day
- Helping with chair arrangement and securing additional seating if needed
- Maintaining a comfortable environment by monitoring and adjusting air conditioning units as needed
- Supporting cleanliness by managing waste disposal and keeping trash bins in order
Tent Day Security (brothers only)
This involves serving in shifts during the day to take care of the security of the tent and the AV equipment outside of meeting times.
Tent Night Security (brothers only)
This service involves:
- Serving alongside another brother for one or more nights in one of the conference tents to watch over the equipment (a mattress, sleeping bag, and flashlight/torch will be provided)
- Securing the tents and activating the alarm system for the night
Tent Ushers (brothers only)
This team will be responsible for checking badges at the entrance to the conference tents to ensure only authorised individuals are allowed entry into the meeting areas.
15. Playground Setup (Saturday)
This service will require you to arrive a day early (Saturday) and to coordinate with others to set up the playground.
16. Playground Monitor
This service ensures the safety of the playground by checking twice a day to make sure the equipment and people in attendance are suitable. You will help ensure that the area remains tidy and the equipment is stored under the tent according to the weather.
17. Snacks
Snacks will be provided for the families during the afternoon. This team will coordinate the distribution and cleanup of the snacks. You will need to be present to serve on at least one of these sessions.
FULL-TIME SERVICE
18. Ages 11-12s Team
You will coordinate how to take care of the children aged 11-12 during the conference with others on the team. This age group has a specific need and meetings during the conference. You would be involved in helping take care of this vital age group.
19. EFC Office - before and during the conference
We do need help in the EFC Office located in the EFC tents. The Office Team requires coordination with the service groups to help ensure the conference runs smoothly before and during the conference and to support the families. It requires you to be available for much of the conference.
Please indicate your interest in this service even if you won’t be available before the conference. You can make additional comments under the “Practical Service Notes” section of the registration form.
In addition, you may be interested in the Other Practical Service Areas (General EYPFC).
Some saints in the EFC houses may also be asked to be House Coordinators.
House Coordinator (HC) Responsibilities
During the conference, there is a need for one person in each house to help coordinate and facilitate practical matters that may arise throughout the week. This service is invaluable for the shepherding care of the saints and maintaining good communication between each house and the Conference Office.
The main responsibilities of a HC are as follows:
- Regularly check the WhatsApp HC Announcement group for messages that may require your attention.
Please let the saints in the Conference Office know if you are asked to be a HC and do not have WhatsApp or mobile data during your stay as this may limit our ability to communicate with you.
- When needed, pass on announcements to those staying in your house or to specific individuals.
Meal-times are often the best time to make announcements or find the saints in your house.
- Act as a liaison between those in your house and the EYPC/EFC Office.
If there are concerns from either the host or the saints regarding the accommodations, please fellowship with the saints serving in the Conference Office.
- In the event of an emergency, complete an attendance check to ensure that all individuals in the house are accounted for.
Once completed, you would need to confirm this in the House Coordinator group chat and report any concerns promptly.
- If instructed, take care of practical needs such as disinfecting surfaces, passing out meal tickets, coordinating meal times/ushers (to avoid congestion in larger houses), posting departure lists, etc.
If you are asked to serve in this way and feel that you are not able to, please fellowship with the Conference Office so that another saint in your house can be assigned.
Other Practical Service Areas (General EYPFC)
This section contains the descriptions of the practical service areas that are general to the EYPFC (i.e. both conferences). You are welcome to volunteer to participate in these service areas also.
Check-in Stations (Registration) - arrival day(s) only
The sisters serving in this area will be assigned to specific Check-in stations in pairs. As the conference registrants arrive throughout the day, they will pass through each station to be checked in and to receive their badges, handbooks, T-shirts, accommodation assignments, and other important information. Those serving in this area need to be detailed, efficient, and also very welcoming to the saints as they arrive, many of whom will have been travelling for a long time.
You will also need to be available to participate in some coordination and training over Zoom in the week or two before the conference.
Check-in Ushers - arrival day(s) only
With 1,800 saints arriving over two days, this is a vital service to help maintain an orderly flow during Check-in. It involves some brothers admitting saints into the Check-in area in batches, while others direct them between stations. Additional brothers will care for the temporary luggage storage area. This service can be carried out in shifts; however, brothers who have the energy and availability to serve for longer periods are especially appreciated.
Arrivals Guides - arrival day(s) only
While many saints have attended the conference before, there are also many saints each year who attend for the first time. Having some guides available to help direct or show saints to their houses or other places in the village would be a wonderful way to welcome the saints and to blend at the start of the conference. It is recommended that only saints who have attended the conference before serve in this capacity.
Arrivals Shuttles (Driving) - arrival day(s) only
This service is for saints aged 25+. After Check-in, the saints need to take their luggage to their houses. Many are within close walking distance, but some of the houses are farther away. Depending on the time of arrival and the weather, it may help to have shuttles available. Adults from either conference are very welcome to join this service on the arrival days; being available to serve for even one or two hours, or indicating that you could be on call, would be very helpful.
Shuttles (Driving) within the Village - during the week
This service is for saints aged 25+. During the week, the saints available for shuttle service help with transporting some of the young people after the evening EYPC meeting to their accommodations, e.g. those staying in Lichajówki. Depending on the weather, more saints may be needed to participate in this service. Parents in the EFC are very welcome to join this service; serving for even one or two evenings would be very helpful.
First Aid Team - during the week
If you are a doctor, nurse, health care professional, or have been trained in first aid, you may want to join the First Aid Team. The First Aid Team will provide care for those who become unwell and those who sustain any injury (not for routine medical check-ups) during the camp. The First Aid Station will be open and staffed at scheduled times in coordination with the other saints you are serving with.
Transport Team - before and during the Conference
The Transport Team is responsible for making the arrangements related to the pickup and drop-off transport between Krakow Airport and Małe Ciche, based on the travel information supplied by the registrants.
- The Core serving ones in this team need to be available from when registration closes (in May) to the day after the conference concludes. This service is both administrative (working with spreadsheets and data) and practical (at the airport and conference venue).
- On the arrival days, this team will be at the airport to receive the saints and board them into their pickup transport to the village.
- During the week, the team will finalise departure arrangements and will help ensure that the saints board their correct departure transport (with their passports!) after the conference.
Who Can Register: Day Visitors from Poland
Saints from Poland have the option of attending the EFC as Day Visitors. The saints in this category must also register. The registration deadline is the same for Day Visitors as for all other registrants.
The registration fee for Visitors increases slightly after the registration deadline to encourage early registration. We ask those registering in this category to complete their registration as early as possible to support the arrangements for the conference, including printing materials, allocating tent space, and managing other administrative needs.
Please be reminded that for those registering as Visitors:
- Accommodation and meals are NOT arranged by the Conference. If you register in this category, please do NOT expect the Conference to help with your accommodation in any way, including communicating with your host.
- It is NOT possible for someone of YP age (13 to 18) to attend the conference in this way; all young people in the village must be fully registered in the EYPC.
- You will need to purchase your handbooks and T-shirts on page 4 of the registration form as they are NOT included in the Visitor fee.
- You may request transport as part of your registration; however, please remember that you are subject to the same transport deadlines as every other registrant.
Requirements for Conference Participation
To maintain a safe and orderly environment, the following applies to all registrants within the conference:
- Badges must be worn at all times while within the conference village.
- Entry to any conference meeting requires a valid badge.
- Your badge must not be given to anyone else to wear or use.
- You must not wear or use the badge of any other registrant.
Additional Guidelines for Visitors
In addition to the agreements above:
- Visitors must sit in the designated Visitor sections within EYPC tents, not in their country’s assigned seating area (e.g., day visitors from Poland must sit in the “Visitors” section, not in seats assigned to full-time registrants from Poland). Seating is limited and subject to availability, as priority is given to full conference registrants.
- Visitors are only permitted in public areas such as dining and fellowship spaces of Conference-designated houses.
- Visitors are not permitted in sleeping areas or accommodations of Conference-designated houses in order to respect the privacy and security of those staying onsite.
Who Can Register: Other Visitors
In the rare event that you would like to participate in the EFC but make private accommodation arrangements, you would need to follow some additional steps before you can register.
> Click here for more details.
- Email your Country Coordinator to enquire about registering as an ‘Other Visitor,’ along with an explanation of why you are requesting to participate in the EYPC in this way.
- If your Country Coordinator feels good about this, then you will need to complete page 1 of the registration form, and let your Country Coordinator know when you have done so.
- Your Country Coordinator will contact the Registration Team on your behalf with your request to participate in the conference as a Visitor from a country outside of Poland.
- The coordinating team will fellowship about your request.
- If the response is to approve your request, then:
- The Registration Team will change your attendee category to be a Visitor.
- Your Country Coordinator will be informed and let you know when this is done.
- You will then need to return to your registration form and continue to register from page 2 onwards.
- If the response is to decline your request, then:
- Your Country Coordinator will be informed.
- You will need to decide whether to register as a full-time attendee or to cancel the registration you started (if you started it) and plan to attend the EYPC another year when you are able to participate fully.
The availability of registering in this attendee category is not guaranteed and would still be subject to the same registration procedures and deadlines. The registration deadline for Visitors is the same as for all other registrants.
The registration fee for Visitors increases slightly after the registration deadline to encourage early registration. We ask those registering in this category to complete their registration as early as possible to support the arrangements for the conference, including printing materials, allocating tent space, and managing other administrative needs.
Please be reminded that for those registering as Visitors:
- Accommodation and meals are NOT arranged by the Conference. If you register in this category, please do NOT expect the Conference to help with your accommodation in any way, including communicating with your host.
- It is NOT possible for someone of YP age (13 to 18) to attend the conference in this way; all young people in the village must be fully registered in the EYPC except for special cases that have been fellowshipped with the EYPC Office,
- You will need to purchase your handbooks and T-shirts on page 4 of the registration form as they are NOT included in the Visitor fee.
- You may request transport as part of your registration; however, please remember that you are subject to the same transport deadlines as every other registrant.
Requirements for Conference Participation
To maintain a safe and orderly environment, the following applies to all registrants within the conference:
- Badges must be worn at all times while within the conference village.
- Entry to any conference meeting requires a valid badge.
- Your badge must not be given to anyone else to wear or use.
- You must not wear or use the badge of any other registrant.
Additional Guidelines for Visitors
In addition to the agreements above:
- Visitors must sit in the designated Visitor sections within EYPC tents, not in their country’s assigned seating area (e.g., day visitors from Poland must sit in the “Visitors” section, not in seats assigned to full-time registrants from Poland). Seating is limited and subject to availability, as priority is given to full conference registrants.
- Visitors are only permitted in public areas such as dining and fellowship spaces of Conference-designated houses.
- Visitors are not permitted in sleeping areas or accommodations of Conference-designated houses in order to respect the privacy and security of those staying onsite.
Who Cannot Register for the EFC?
More Information to Prepare You for Coming to the Conference
If members of your family also intend to join the European Young People’s Conference (EYPC), then please see About the EYPC.
For more information about what to expect at both the EYPC and EFC, please see What To Expect at the EYPFC. We recommend reading this information carefully, even if you have participated in the conference before.
EYPFC 2026 – Save the date!
26 July – 1 August 2026
EYPFC
26 July – 1 August 2026
Registration will open soon!
EYPFC
26 July – 1 August 2026
Registration is now open!
Registration will close on 18th May 2026 or when the registration quota is reached.
EYPC & EFC
27 July – 2 August 2025
The registration deadline has now passed.
The registration deadline was 1 June 2025.
You may continue to update and confirm your travel information until 22 June 2025.
Please complete the second travel confirmation to ensure that we have accurate travel information. If you need any help, please contact your Country Coordinator.
All registrants are requested to confirm their travel details one more time in the week before 8 June, to ensure that we have accurate travel information.
To complete, update, or confirm your travel information, please log in and do this before the deadline. If you need any help, please contact your Country Coordinator.
After this point, changes must be emailed to transport@ypconference.eu.